Iceland Shuts Main Airport After Volcanic Eruption

Eyjafjallajokull wreaked global havoc for weeks

Iceland has closed its main international airport after the country's most active volcano started erupting, sending ash, smoke, and steam 20 kilometers into the air.

Authorities say other airports on the island are also likely to close. Airport spokeswoman Hjordis Gudmundsdottir said ash is covering the island but is unlikely to move toward Europe.

The Grimsvotn volcano, which lies in the country's southeast, last erupted in 2004. In April 2010, European air traffic was disrupted for weeks by an ash cloud from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano.

Iceland is one of the world's most volcanically active countries.

compiled from agency reports